Theater chair light



Sept 27, 1932@ C. A. .RW'NGER 1,879,213

THEATER CHAIR LIGHT Filed July 24. 1931 Patented Sept. 27, 1932 cARoLrNE A.. IRMINGER, or HoBokEN, NEW JERSEY THEATER CHAIR LIGHT vApplication led July 24, 1931. Serial No. 552,887.'-

The objects of the present invention are to provide a reading light for theater chairs, which `will enable the occupants of the various seats to individually read their programs without disturbing other patrons, which can be built into or combined inthe structure ofthe chai-r, so as not' to interfere with the useV or mar the appearance, which will be of simple, inexpensive construction and protected against breakage or injury.

The foregoing and other desirable objects are attained in this invention by the novel features of construction, combinations and relations of parts hereinafter described and j broadly claimed.

The drawing accompanying and forming part of this specilication illustrates one simple practical embodiment of the invention, but it will become clear from an understanding of the invention, that the structure may be variously modified and changedrwithout' departure from the true spiritV and broad scope of the invention. j

Fig. l is a front elevation of adjoining theater chairs having the invention incorporated therein; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sidev elevation and broken sectional View showing the light and switch structure in its combined relation with the arm rest of the chair; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 isa broken sectional detail of the switch mechanism.

In Fig. l, adjoining theater chairs of typiical design are indicated at 5. Such chairs are usually provided with arm rests 6, which as a rule, project forward to some extent from the metallic side frames 7 of the chairs as indicated particularly in Fig. 2. This projecting arm rest portion is utilized in this or protection for the light and the light is made lup as a special unit applicable to or combined with such arm rest.

ln the form of the invention shown, the

light mechanism is a separate unit attachable as such to the underside of the projecting portion of the arm rest. For such purposes, said unit is made up as a casing 8, containing all the necessary electrical parts and attachable as by screws 9 to the iat underside invention both as a support and as a guard of 'the projecting portion of the arm rest. rIhis casing, as shown, is preferably rounded at its forward side, so as to constitute in 'ef' fect a downward continuation or extension of the rounded forward end of the' armrest 55' and it may be ornamentally or otherwise shaped to accord with the outline ofthe chair, 'or decorations in the thea-ter,- etc. Preferably, it is of an unobtrusive nature of no greater width than the chair arm and rounded off so as not to catch in clothing or be in theway. c

lVithin the casing or shell of the device, there is mounted a socket l0 to hold a lamp ll of any usual or special design and a normally open circuit switch having an exposed push button or similar actuating device 12.

In the illustration, the push button of the switch is shown set vsubstantially flush in the front wall of the light casing, so as not 7@ to stand in the way, but to be readily accessible tothe occupants of adjoining seats. This makesY itfeasible to provide va light n only on every alternate arm rest and for the i occupants of the adjoining seats toy share the use of the light between them.

rIYhe switch is illustrated as of the quick inalre-and-break spring toggle type, comprising a rocking circuit closing contact meinber 13, adapted to be snapped in opposite 8U directions past a d'ead center by aspring. 14 and arranged in the one' position' indicated in Fig. 4:-, to closel the l-a'nip circuit across the contacts 15, 16. It will be noted that the switch will remain in this circuit closed con- 35 dition only so long. as held depressed by the finger, because of the presence of a spring 17, operating on the plunger 1.8 of the push button to thrust the same outwardly. This n plu-nger has a llost motion connection, 19 9U withY the rocking element of the switch to initiate the movement of this switch element and at the same time, permit the toggle spring to snap the switch into thel open and f closed circuit positions. 95

A -rel'ector4 or'reiiecting surface 20 may be disposed in back of the lamp, so alsI to direct the light downwardly and forwardly, out in the aisle in front of the seat and the light s opening 21 in the front of thev casing may ISG be covered by a lens or glass 22. This latter structure may be in the form of a hinged door 23 releasably secured by a lock or latch 24, permitting access by authorized persons for replacement of lamps or other service requirements.

In this invention, the lighting mechanism is combined with thechair structure in an out of the way position but in such a relation that it is favorably disposed to direct the light forwardly and downwardly from the chair, where it will illuminate a program held by the occupant of the chair without annoying adjoining or nearby patrons and where it may be'usefully employed to locate lost articles dropped in the aisle or by ushers in directing or' seating patrons. If desired, the lighting unit may be built into or constructed as an original part of the arm rest, instead of as an attachment afterwards applied. The necessary wiring may be in the form of armored cable, indicated at 25 and carried from the back of the casing to suitable conduits extended along a row of chairs, or, for instance, set in the floor, the methods of wiring depending largely upon whether the lights are installed initially or put in subsequently after the original building operations. It is the intent of the invention however, that available lighting current be employed, all the seat lights having a common source, as distinguished from systems employing individual batteries for the different lights and which are known to be unsuitable because of the uncertainty of dry cells, etc. A special feature to be noted is that the push button, located as it is in the hand supporting portion of the arm rest, is conveniently situated for hand actuation and at the same time, is not so exposed as to be in the way or to catch in the clothing. The lighting units being mounted on stationary parts of the chairs and being disposed in the spaces between adjoining chairs, do not in any way interfere with the normal andproper use of the chairs, are not in the way and do not take up any otherwise useful space. The push buttons may be located in special positions on the floor or on the chair structure, so as to be operable by foot pressure, instead of by hand. In either case, they are constructed so as to snap the light 0E as soon as the actuating pressure is removed, thus insuring that the lights will remain on only so long as they are actually being used. By being directed forwardly, the lights will serve to illuminate not only the aisle in front of a row of chairs, but the spaces beneath the chairs in the row ahead, a convenience in finding articles dropped under the chairs. l

As the invention is of broad scope, the terms employed herein are to be considered in a descriptive rather than in a limiting sense, except possibly for limitations as may be imposed by the state of the prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a row of theater chairs having arm rests, light units carried by the alternate arm rests and consisting of individual switch controlled electric lights attached to the arm rests in a manner so as to direct illumination downwardly and forwardly from said arm rests towards the aisle in front of said chairs.

2. In combination with a row of theater chairs having arm rests, light units carried by the alternate arm rests and consisting of individual switch controlled electric lights attached to the arm rests in a manner so as to direct illumination downwardly and forwardly from said arm rests towards the aisle in front of'said chairs and wiring for carrying lighting current from a common source to said alternately disposed lighting units on said arm rests.

3. In combination with a row ofV theater chairs yhaving arm rests, program reading light units carried by alternate arm rests and comprising each a casing attached to and forming in effect an extensionof the arm rest, said casing having a light opening therein, a transparent cover over said light opening, a lamp mounted in the casing,a reflecting surface back of said lamp, said light opening, lamp and reflecting surface being positioned to direct illumination below, forward and away from the arm r-est to enable convenient reading of a program by a seated patron, a switch connected to control said lamp and mounted in the casing at one side of the lamp, said switch having a control button exposed at one side of the casing and current carrying wiring extending tothe switch and lamp of each lighting unit.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature.

CAROLINE A. IRMINGER. 

